The starting methods of diesel generator sets are diverse, depending on the equipment power, application environment, automation and design requirements. Reasonable selection and standardized maintenance of starting devices and auxiliary systems can ensure that diesel generators can still respond immediately under extreme conditions such as severe cold and high altitude, ensuring uninterrupted power supply.
1. Electric Start
(1) Principle: The battery is used to power the starter motor (commonly known as the "starter"), and the small gear on the starter motor meshes with the engine flywheel ring gear. The huge torque generated by the motor drives the engine crankshaft to rotate and reach the starting speed.
(2) Features: The core components are batteries, starter motors, starter relays/electromagnetic switches, and ignition switches (or control signals). They are widely used in diesel generator sets ranging from small portable to large fixed (even megawatt-level).
(3) Advantages: Easy operation (just press a button or turn a key), fast and reliable starting, and easy to automate (ATS automatic transfer switch, remote monitoring system, etc.). Applicable to various power ranges (by selecting the appropriate starter and battery).
(4) Disadvantages: Depends on the battery status (charge, health). Aging or insufficient battery will cause starting failure. The battery needs to be maintained regularly (charging, checking electrolyte/maintaining maintenance-free batteries). In extremely cold environments, battery performance will significantly decrease, affecting starting.
2. Hydraulic Start
(1) Principle: Use a hydraulic pump to establish a high-pressure oil circuit to drive the hydraulic motor to rotate, and the hydraulic motor then drives the engine flywheel to rotate. Hydraulic energy usually comes from a manual pump, an electric pump or an accumulator.
(2) Features: The core components are a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, an accumulator (optional), a control valve, and a tank pipeline. It is often used as an auxiliary power unit on engineering machinery with an existing hydraulic system (such as excavators and large tractors), or as a backup starting method in special environments (such as high explosion-proof requirements).
(3) Advantages: It can provide a large starting torque and is easy to integrate in specific applications (such as self-contained hydraulic systems). No electric spark, good explosion-proof performance, the accumulator can provide multiple starting energy without power supply.
(4) Disadvantages: The system is complex, the cost is high, the hydraulic system needs to be maintained (leakage prevention, oil cleanliness), and the efficiency is relatively low.
3. Spring Start
(1) Principle: The strong spring is stored by manpower (or auxiliary tools). When released, the elastic force of the spring drives the ratchet mechanism or gear system to drive the engine crankshaft to rotate.
(2) Features: Very niche: Mainly used for some small, special purposes (such as military, extreme reliability requirements, no electricity and no gas environment) diesel engines.
(3) Advantages: Completely independent of external energy (battery, power supply, compressed air), relatively simple structure (compared to pneumatic/hydraulic), high reliability, and low maintenance requirements.
(4) Disadvantages: The energy storage process is laborious and usually only provides a single starting energy (needs to be re-stored). The applicable power range is small.
